Scleroderma Auckland

Scleroderma Auckland is a chapter group of Scleroderma NZ Inc.

Scleroderma is a rare, chronic and often progressive autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue.

Scleroderma, which literally means “hard skin” can cause thickening and tightening of the skin, restricting movement, as well as serious damage to internal organs including the lungs, heart, kidney, oesophagus, gastrointestinal tract and the vascular system, causing the organs to become hardened, therefore less effective and in some cases causing organ failure.

Scleroderma can range in severity from mild to life threatening. For most people with Scleroderma the disease has a serious impact on daily life, and although medications can sometimes help, there is no cure.

Currently there is very little awareness in the medical profession within New Zealand, and in particular the front line of medicine. Our aim is to increase awareness at all levels from General Practitioners upwards as this is the first encounter a patient struggling with this condition has. As the condition is very rare and symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, it can take years for the proper diagnosis to be made. A delay in diagnosis can result in serious irreversible damage being caused to the patient.

Our mission is to provide a supportive and educational forum for those living with Scleroderma and its related conditions. To educate our members about their condition to empower them to make informed decisions regarding their own health care. We hold regular support group meetings every couple of months and some of these meetings will include speakers from within the medical profession.

Currently we do not receive any funding. We need funding to assist with the cost of hiring speakers for support group presentations to educate our members and caregivers. Also to produce informative literature for our members so they can make better informed decisions regarding their health care. We need funding for literature to raise awareness for those in the medical profession, particularly those in the front line who are the first to encounter undiagnosed Scleroderma patients. We also aim to raise awareness of this rare disease in the wider community which will in turn assist with more timely diagnosis.

The purpose of Scleroderma Auckland is to support, educate and advocate for those living with this rare condition and to raise awareness in all corners of society. To do this we need your help.